Multi-modal five lumen gas circulation system for use in endoscopic surgical procedures

ABSTRACT

A system is disclosed for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure in a surgical cavity, which includes a multi-modal gas delivery device including a primary gas circulation pump, a secondary gas circulation pump and an insufflation subunit, and an interface plate adapted and configured to engage with the multi-modal gas delivery device and including a connector and a filter seat corresponding to five different lumens, each of which provides a different functionality.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention is directed to endoscopic surgery, and moreparticularly, to a surgical gas circulation system that is adapted andconfigured for multi-modal operation including insufflation,recirculation and smoke evacuation using a filtered tube set having fiveseparate lumens.

2. Description of Related Art

Endoscopic surgical techniques are well known. Indeed, laparoscopicsurgical procedures performed in the abdominal cavity, such as such ascholecystectomies, appendectomies, hernia repair and nephrectomies havebecome commonplace. Benefits of such minimally invasive proceduresinclude reduced trauma to the patient, reduced opportunity forinfection, and decreased recovery time. Such procedures are typicallyperformed through a device known as a trocar or cannula, whichfacilitates the introduction of laparoscopic instruments into theabdominal cavity of a patient.

Endoscopic surgical procedures performed in other surgical cavities orareas of the body include thoracoscopic surgical procedures performed inthe thoracic cavity of a patient, as well as, endo-luminal surgicalprocedures, such as trans-anal and trans-esophageal surgical procedures.

Endoscopic surgical procedures commonly involve filling or“insufflating” the surgical cavity with a pressurized fluid, such ascarbon dioxide, to create an operating space. In the case of laparoscopyin the abdominal cavity, this is referred to as a pneumoperitoneum.Insufflation can be carried out by a surgical access device, such as atrocar, equipped to deliver insufflation fluid, or by a separateinsufflation device, such as an insufflation (veress) needle.

The trocar must also provide a way to maintain the pressure within thesurgical cavity by sealing between the trocar and the surgicalinstrument being used, while still allowing at least a minimum amount offreedom of movement for the surgical instruments. Mechanical seals aretypically provided on trocars to prevent the escape of insufflation gasfrom the surgical cavity. These seals often comprise a duckbill-typevalve made of a relatively pliable material, which seals around an outersurface of a surgical instrument passing through the trocar.

SurgiQuest, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ConMed Corporation hasdeveloped unique gas sealed surgical access devices that permit readyaccess to an insufflated surgical cavity without the need forconventional mechanical seals, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat.Nos. 8,795,223 and 9,907,569, the disclosures of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entireties. These gas sealed deviceshave an inner tubular body portion that defines a central lumen forintroducing surgical instruments to the surgical cavity and an outertubular body portion that defines an annular outer lumen surrounding theinner tubular body portion for delivering insufflation gas to thesurgical cavity and for facilitating periodic sensing of cavitypressure. During use, pressurized gas is delivered to the access device,where it is accelerated by internal jet nozzles to create a gaseoussealing zone within the central lumen of the access device. Gas that hasbeen used to generate the gaseous sealing zone is carried away from theaccess device by way of a suction line.

These dual-lumen gas sealed access devices are designed for use with aunique multi-modal surgical gas delivery device, as described incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,067,030 and 9,526,849, thedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. This gasdelivery device includes an insufflation subunit for deliveringinsufflation gas to the outer annular lumen of the access device, andfor taking period pressure readings from the surgical cavity. The gasdelivery device further incudes a gas circulation pump for deliveringpressurized gas to the nozzle jets located within in the access deviceand for carrying away spent gas from the access device, thereby forminga gas recirculation path between the pump and the access port.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that electrocauterydevices are regularly used during endoscopic surgical procedures. Thesedevices are used to cut and/or coagulate tissue, and typically give offsmoke during this process. The smoke can cloud the vision of theendoscopic camera, leading to delays in surgery or requiring thesurgical team to evacuate that smoke from the surgical cavity.

It is known to utilize a dual-lumen gas sealed access device inconjunction with a multi-modal gas delivery device to remove smokefilled gas from a surgical cavity, while maintaining a gaseous sealwithin the access device. In this mode of operation, smoke removal isconducted by way of the gas recirculation path used to generate thegaseous seal in the access device, which is filtered on both the inputand output legs of the path. Moreover, smoke filled gas will flow upthrough the central lumen of the access device and into the gasrecirculation path by way of a “chimney” effect, where it will befiltered within the suction line.

While this method of smoke evacuation has been somewhat effective, ithas certain shortcomings. First, the smoke evacuation mode of thecurrent multi-modal gas delivery device described in U.S. Pat. Nos.9,067,030 and 9,526,849 does not operate continuously. Rather, ittoggles on and off, because the addition of insufflation gas through theouter annular lumen of the access device must be interrupted so that theinsufflation subunit within the gas delivery device can accurately sensecavity pressure. Second, some of the smoke filled gas flows up throughthe central lumen of the gas sealed access device can find its way outof the open end of the access device, where it is released into theoperating room, creating undesirable odors.

It would be beneficial therefore to separate the smoke evacuationfunction from the gas recirculation function of the gas sealed accessport so that smoke evacuation can be performed continuously and so thatsmoke filled gas is not unnecessarily released into the operating roomenvironment through the open end of the gas sealed access port.

The subject invention provides a beneficial solution to these problemsby incorporating a second gas circulation pump into the multi-modal gasdelivery device, which is dedicated to smoke evacuation, therebyseparating smoke evacuation from the gas recirculation path used tocreate the gaseous sealing zone in a gas sealed access device.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject invention is directed to a new and useful system forperforming an endoscopic surgical procedure in a surgical cavity, whichincludes a multi-modal gas delivery device including a primary gascirculation pump, a secondary gas circulation pump and an insufflationsubunit, and an interface plate adapted and configured to engage withthe multi-modal gas delivery device and including a connector and afilter seat corresponding to each of five separate and distinct lumens.

The first lumen is an insufflation and sensing lumen for deliveringinsufflation gas from the insufflation subunit to the surgical cavityand for facilitating sensing of surgical cavity pressure. The secondlumen is a gas delivery lumen for delivering pressurized gas from theprimary gas circulation pump to a gas sealed access device. The thirdlumen is a gas return lumen for returning gas used to generate a gaseousseal within the gas sealed access device back to the primary gascirculation pump. The fourth lumen is a smoke evacuation lumen forremoving smoke filled gas from the surgical cavity by way of thesecondary gas circulation pump. The fifth lumen is a recirculationsupply lumen for returning filtered gas back to the surgical cavity fromthe secondary gas circulation pump.

In one embodiment of the subject invention, the insufflation and sensinglumen is attached to a respective connector of the interface plate, anda modular bi-directional filter canister is seated on the interfaceplate to communicate with the attached lumen. Furthermore, a distal endof the insufflation and sensing lumen has a coupling that is adapted andconfigured to connect with a valve sealed access device.

In another embodiment of the subject invention, the insufflation andsensing lumen, the gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen areattached to respective connectors of the interface plate, and modularbi-directional filter canisters are seated on the interface plate tocommunicate with each of the attached lumens. Furthermore, distal endsof the insufflation and sensing lumen, the gas delivery lumen and thegas return lumen are attached to a tri-lumen coupling that is adaptedand configured to connect with the gas sealed access device.Alternatively, distal ends of the gas delivery lumen and the gas returnlumen are attached to a bi-lumen coupling that is adapted and configuredto connect with the gas sealed access device, and a distal end of theinsufflation and sensing lumen has a coupling that is adapted andconfigured to connect with a valve sealed access device.

In yet another embodiment of the subject invention, the smoke evacuationlumen and the recirculation supply lumen are attached to respectiveconnectors of the interface plate, and filter canisters are seated onthe interface plate to communicate with each of the attached lumens.Furthermore, a distal end of the smoke evacuation lumen has a couplingthat is adapted and configured to connect with a first valve sealedaccess device and a distal end of the recirculation supply lumen has acoupling that is adapted and configured to connect with a second valvesealed access device.

In still another embodiment of the subject invention, the insufflationand sensing lumen, the smoke evacuation lumen and the recirculationsupply lumen are attached to respective connectors of the interfaceplate, and filter canisters are seated on the interface plate tocommunicate with each of the attached lumens. Furthermore, a distal endof the insufflation and sensing lumen has a coupling that is adapted andconfigured to connect with a first valve sealed access device, a distalend of the smoke evacuation lumen has a coupling that is adapted andconfigured to connect with a second valve sealed access device and adistal end of the recirculation supply lumen has a coupling that isadapted and configured to connect with a third valve sealed accessdevice.

In an ultimate embodiment of the subject invention, the insufflation andsensing lumen, the gas delivery lumen, the gas return lumen, the smokeevacuation lumen and the recirculation supply lumen are all attached torespective connectors of the interface plate, and modular filtercanisters are seated on the interface plate to communicate with each ofthe attached lumens. Furthermore, distal ends of the insufflation andsensing lumen, the gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen areattached to a tri-lumen coupling that is adapted and configured toconnect with the gas sealed access device, a distal end of the smokeevacuation lumen has a coupling that is adapted and configured toconnect with a first valve sealed access device and a distal end of therecirculation supply lumen has a coupling that is adapted and configuredto connect with a second valve sealed access device.

Alternatively, distal ends of the gas delivery lumen and the gas returnlumen are attached to a bi-lumen coupling that is adapted and configuredto connect with the gas sealed access device, a distal end of theinsufflation and sensing lumen has a coupling that is adapted andconfigured to connect with a first valve sealed access device, a distalend of the smoke evacuation lumen has a coupling that is adapted andconfigured to connect with a second valve sealed access device and adistal end of the recirculation supply lumen has a coupling that isadapted and configured to connect with a third valve sealed accessdevice.

It is envisioned that each filter seat of the interface plate would beconfigured to receive a uniform or common modular filter canister thatincludes a pleated filter element for filtering gas flowingtherethrough. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that themodularity and commonality of the filter canisters provides benefits andadvantages in terms of decreased manufacturing costs, reduced inventoryand ease of assembly. Each modular filter canister is preferablyattached to a respective filter seat by conventional means known in theart such as, for example, an adhesive, ultrasonic welding, spin welding,and laser welding or by way of a threaded fit or an interference fit.

Preferably, the filter element in each canister is configured forbi-directional flow so that it can be utilized to filter a flow of cleanpressurized gas coming from the outlet side of a gas circulation pump oran outlet flow of spent or smoke filled gas going to the suction side ofa gas circulation pump. The bi-directional filter element within eachcanister is preferably selected from a group of filter media consistingof a pleated filter media, a woven polymer mesh filter media, anon-woven polymer mesh filter media, sintered metal filter media, asintered polymer filter media, an activated carbon filter media, and aparticulate filter media. Each filter canister also includes means fordetected a fluid level within the filter canister. This can include anoptical sensors or the like.

It is envisioned that the interface plate could include a permanent orintegral filter canister operatively associated with the filter seatthat communicates with the insufflation and sensing lumen, while thefour other filter seats would each have the previously described modularfilter canister associated therewith. This is because nearly everyembodiment or version of the interface plate would likely include theinsufflation and sensing lumen. It is the most often gas path used inthe embodiment of the subject invention described herein.

It is also envisioned that the interface plate would include means forcommunicating information to a controller in the gas delivery deviceidentifying which of the five lumens is attached to the interface plate.The information received from an interface plate of a tube set ispreferably communicated to the gas delivery device by way of an RFIDcommunication link, an NFC communication link, a Bluetooth communicationlink, a WiFi communication link or by way of microswitches.

The subject invention is also directed to an interface plate for amulti-modal gas delivery device used in performing an endoscopicsurgical procedure in a surgical cavity. The interface plate includes afirst connector for an insufflation and sensing lumen that deliversinsufflation gas from an insufflation subunit in the gas delivery deviceto the surgical cavity and facilitates sensing of surgical cavitypressure, a second connector for a gas delivery lumen that deliverspressurized gas from a primary gas circulation pump in the gas deliverydevice to a gas sealed access device, a third connector for a gas returnlumen that returns gas used to generate a gaseous seal within the gassealed access device back to the primary gas circulation pump, a fourthconnector for a smoke evacuation lumen that removes smoke filled gasfrom the surgical cavity by way of a secondary gas circulation pump inthe gas delivery device, and a fifth connector for a recirculationsupply lumen that returns filtered gas back to the surgical cavity fromthe secondary gas circulation pump.

The interface plate further includes a filter seat corresponding to eachof the five connectors for receiving a respective filter canister. Inone embodiment of the subject invention, an insufflation and sensinglumen is attached to the first connector of the interface plate, and afilter canister is seated on the interface plate to communicate with theattached lumen. In another embodiment of the subject invention, aninsufflation and sensing lumen is attached to the first connector of theinterface plate, a gas delivery lumen is attached to the secondconnector of the interface plate and a gas return lumen is attached tothe third of the interface plate, and filter canisters are seated on theinterface plate to communicate with each of the attached lumens.

In yet another embodiment of the subject invention, a smoke evacuationlumen is attached to the fourth connector of the interface plate and arecirculation supply lumen is attached to the fifth connector of theinterface plate, and filter canisters are seated on the interface plateto communicate with each of the attached lumens. In still anotherembodiment of the subject invention, an insufflation and sensing lumenis attached to the first connector of the interface plate, a smokeevacuation lumen is attached to the fourth connector of the interfaceplate and a recirculation supply lumen is attached to the fifthconnector of the interface plate, and filter canisters are seated on theinterface plate to communicate with each of the attached lumens.

In an ultimate embodiment of the interface plate of the subjectinvention, an insufflation and sensing lumen is attached to the firstconnector of the interface plate, a gas delivery lumen is attached tothe second connector of the interface plate, a gas return lumen isattached to the third connector of the interface plate, a smokeevacuation lumen is attached to the fourth connector of the interfaceplate and a recirculation supply lumen is attached to the fifthconnector of the interface plate, and filter canisters are seated on theinterface plate to communicate with each of the attached lumens.

The subject invention is also directed to a multi-modal gas deliverydevice for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure in a surgicalcavity, which includes an insufflation subunit for deliveringinsufflation gas from a gas source to the surgical cavity and forsensing pressure within the surgical cavity, a primary gas circulationpump for delivering pressurized gas to a gas sealed access port so as togenerate a gaseous seal therein and thereby maintain a stable pressurewithin the surgical cavity and for receiving gas returning from the gassealed access port that was used to form the gaseous seal, and asecondary gas circulation pump for continuously evacuating smoke filledgas from the surgical cavity. The secondary pump can operate regardlessof the sensed pressure within the surgical cavity. Preferably, thesecondary gas circulation pump is further configured to return filteredgas to the surgical cavity.

The gas delivery device further comprises a controller for initiating anoperating mode from a group of operating modes including: i) aninsufflation mode driven by the insufflation subunit; ii) aninsufflation and gas circulation mode driven by the insufflation subunitand the primary gas circulation pump; iii) a smoke evacuation and gasreturn mode driven by the secondary gas circulation pump; iv) aninsufflation and smoke evacuation mode driven by the insufflationsubunit and the secondary gas circulation pump; v) an insufflation,smoke evacuation and gas return mode driven by the insufflation subunitand the secondary gas circulation pump; and vi) an insufflation and gascirculation mode driven by the insufflation subunit and the primary gascirculation pump, together with smoke evacuation and gas return drivenby the secondary gas circulation pump.

Preferably, the controller is adapted and configured to determine whichoperating mode to initiate based upon information received from aninterface plate of a tube set operatively associated therewith. Theinformation received from an interface plate of a tube set is preferablycommunicated to the gas delivery device by way of an RFID communicationlink, an NFC communication link, a Bluetooth communication link, a WiFicommunication link or by way of micro-switches.

These and other features of the gas circulation system of the subjectinvention will become more readily apparent to those having ordinaryskill in the art to which the subject invention appertains from thedetailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunctionwith the following brief description of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art will readily understand how to make anduse the gas circulation system of the subject invention without undueexperimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described indetail herein below with reference to the figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gas circulation system of thesubject invention in use during the performance of a laparoscopicsurgical procedure, which includes a multi-modal gas delivery devicehaving an interface plate connected to a tri-lumen tube set associatedwith a gas sealed access port, along with a smoke evacuation lumen and arecirculation supply lumen associated with two valve sealed accessports;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a valve sealed access port with aconventional luer fitting for coupling with a single lumen connector;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a single lumen gas sealed access portwith a bi-lumen fitting for coupling with a bi-lumen connectorassociated with a bi-lumen tube set;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a dual lumen gas sealed access port atri-lumen fitting for coupling with a tri-lumen connector associatedwith a tri-lumen tube set;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the multi-modal gas deliverydevice shown in FIG. 1, which includes an insufflation subunit and aprimary gas circulation pump for communicating with the insufflation andsensing lumen, the gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen, and asecondary gas circulation pump for communicating with the smokeevacuation lumen and the recirculation supply lumen;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interface plate of the subjectinvention, as viewed from the front or external surface thereof,illustrating the five connectors provided thereon;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the interface plate of the subjectinvention, as viewed from the rear or internal surface thereof,illustrating the five filter seats thereof, one of which has a modularfilter unit seated therein;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a modular filter unitconstructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subjectinvention, which includes an external face seal and an internal pleatedfilter element;

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the filter compartment of the subjectinvention, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the interface plate of thesubject invention, wherein an insufflation and sensing lumen is attachedthereto, along with a single filter unit;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the interface plate of thesubject invention, wherein an insufflation and sensing lumen is attachedthereto, together with a smoke evacuation lumen, along with twoassociated filter units;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of the interface plate of thesubject invention, wherein an insufflation and sensing lumen is attachedthereto, together with a smoke evacuation lumen and a recirculationsupply lumen, along with three associated filter units;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view and FIG. 14 is a perspective view ofthe interface plate of the subject invention, wherein an insufflationand sensing lumen, a gas delivery lumen and a gas return lumen areattached thereto, and wherein the distal ends of the three lumens areconnected to a tri-lumen coupling, along with three associated filterunits;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective views of the interface plate of thesubject invention, as seen from the front and rear surfaces thereof,wherein an insufflation and sensing lumen is attached thereto, togetherwith a gas delivery lumen and a gas return lumen, and wherein the distalends of the gas delivery and gas return lumens are connected to abi-lumen coupling, while the distal end of the insulation lumen isattached to a conventional fitting, along with three associated filterunits;

FIGS. 17 through 19 illustrate the interface plate of the subjectinvention, as viewed from the front side and rear surfaces thereof,wherein an insufflation and sensing lumen, a gas delivery lumen, a gasreturn lumen, a smoke evacuation lumen and a recirculation supply lumenare all attached thereto, and wherein the distal ends of theinsufflation and sensing lumen, gas delivery lumen and gas return lumenare all attached to a tri-lumen coupling, while the distal end of thesmoke evacuation lumen and a distal end of the recirculation supplylumen are each attached to a separate conventional fitting, along withfive associated filter units;

FIGS. 20 through 22 are illustrations of another embodiment of aninterface plate constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe subject invention, which has permanent filter canister correspondingto the insufflation path, wherein a single sheet of filter media isinstalled; and

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate an alternative arrangement that correspond toFIGS. 11 and 12, wherein the distal end of the insufflation and sensinglumen and a distal end of the recirculation supply lumen are operativelyassociated with a coupling, which would connect to a first valve sealedaccess port, and wherein a distal end of the smoke evacuation lumenwould be connected to a second valve sealed access port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identifysimilar structural elements and features of the subject invention, thereis illustrated in FIG. 1 a gas circulation system for performing anendoscopic surgical procedure in a surgical cavity of a patient, andmore particularly, for performing a laparoscopic surgical procedure inthe abdominal cavity of a patient that is constructed in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the subject disclosure and is designatedgenerally by reference numeral 10.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the gascirculation system 10 of the subject invention can be used forperforming other types of endoscopic procedures, aside from laparoscopicprocedures. For example, this system 10 can be used in the performanceof thoracoscopic surgical procedures in the thoracic cavity of apatient, as well as, the performance of endo-luminal surgicalprocedures, such as trans-anal and trans-esophageal surgical procedures.

Referring to FIG. 1, the gas circulation system 10 of the subjectinvention is specifically designed to cooperate with a programmablemulti-modal gas delivery device 12. The gas delivery device 12 is basedupon the multi-modal gas delivery device described, for example, incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,375,539, the disclosure of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The gas delivery device 12 includes a graphical user interface 14 forsetting operating parameters, and more particularly, for interactingwith an internal controller 16 (see FIG. 2) that is programmable tooperate the gas delivery device 12 in a variety of different operatingmodes, depending upon the demands of a particular endoscopic surgicalprocedure.

More particularly, as explained in greater detail below, and withreference to FIGS. 1A through 1C, the controller 16 of the gas deliverydevice 12 of the subject invention is programmed or otherwise configuredto perform: i) insufflation through a single valve sealed access port200 which has a conventional luer connector 210 (see FIG. 1A); ii)insufflation through a valve sealed access port 200 and gas circulationthrough a single-lumen gas sealed access port 300 which has a bi-lumenconnector 310 (see FIG. 1B); iii) insufflation and gas circulationthrough a dual lumen gas sealed access port 400 which has a tri-lumenconnector 410 (see FIG. 1C); iv) evacuation of smoky gas and filteredgas return through two separate valve sealed access ports 200; v)insufflation and evacuation of smoky gas through two separate valvesealed access ports 200; vi) insufflation, evacuation of smoky gas andfiltered gas return through three separate valve sealed access ports200; and vii) insufflation and gas circulation through a dual lumen gassealed access port 300, together with evacuation of smoke filled gas andfiltered gas return through two separate valve sealed access ports 200.

Referring once again to FIG. 1 in conjunction with the schematic diagramshown in FIG. 2, the gas delivery device 12 of the subject inventionfurther includes a primary gas circulation pump 18 for facilitating thecirculation/recirculation of pressurized gas relative to the surgicalcavity 20 of a patient 22, a secondary gas circulation pump 24 forfacilitating smoke evacuation from the surgical cavity 20 of the patient22, and an insufflation subunit 26 for delivering insufflation gas froma gas source 28 to the surgical cavity 20 of the patient 22, as well assensing pressure within the surgical cavity 18 of patient 22periodically.

The gas delivery system 10 of the subject invention further includes aninterface plate 30 that is adapted and configured to engage with themulti-modal gas delivery device 12 and it is designed for connectionwith as many as five different lumens or tubes, each of which has adifferent functionality, depending upon a selectively or automaticallyactivated mode of operation, as explained in more detail below. Moreparticularly, the front face of the gas delivery device 12 has acomplementary reception cavity 32 for receiving and engaging with theinterface plate 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the interface plate 30 of the subjectinvention includes a front or exterior surface 34 and a rear or internalsurface 36. As shown in FIG. 3, the front surface 34 of interface plate30 includes a first connector 42 for connecting with an insufflation andsensing lumen for delivering insufflation gas from the insufflationsubunit 26 to the surgical cavity 20 and for facilitating sensing ofsurgical cavity pressure by way of a valve sealed access device 200. Itis envisioned and well within the scope of the subject disclosure thatthat sealed access device 200 could be replaced by another deviceincluding for example, a veress needle or another type of surgicalaccess device or trocar adapted to deliver insufflation gas to asurgical cavity, including any of the access device disclosed herein.

The front surface 34 of interface plate 30 also includes a secondconnector 44 for connecting with a gas delivery lumen for deliveringpressurized gas from the primary gas circulation pump 18 to a gas sealedaccess device 300 or 400. The front surface 34 of interface plate 30further includes a third connector 46 for connecting with a gas returnlumen for returning gas used to generate a gaseous seal within the gassealed access device 300 or 400 back to the primary gas circulation pump18.

The front surface 34 of the interface plate 30 also includes a fourthconnector 48 for connecting with a smoke evacuation lumen that removessmoke filled gas from the surgical cavity 20 by way of the secondary gascirculation pump 24 by way of a valve sealed access port 200. The frontsurface 34 of interface plate 30 further includes a fifth connector 50for connection with a recirculation supply lumen for returning filteredgas back to the surgical cavity 20 from the secondary gas circulationpump 24 by way of a valve sealed access port 200.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the rear surface 36 of interface plate 30includes a first circular filter seat 52 with a port 62 forcommunicating with the first connector 42, a second circular filter seat54 with a port 64 communicating with the second connector 44, a thirdcircular filter seat 56 with a port 66 communicating with the thirdconnector 46, a fourth circular filter seat 58 with a port 68communicating with the fourth connector 48, and a fifth circular filterseat 60 with a port 70 communicating with the fifth connector 50.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a modular filter unit 72 that includes acylindrical canister 74 is seated within the first filter seat 52. Asexplained in more detail below, identical filter units can be readilyseated in each of the five seating areas in the rear surface 36 ofinterface plate 30, depending upon the activated mode of operation.Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the modularity andcommonality of these filter units provides benefits and advantages interms of decreased manufacturing costs, reduced inventory and ease ofassembly. Each modular filter unit 72 is preferably attached to arespective filter seat by conventional means known in the art such as,for example, an adhesive, ultrasonic welding, spin welding, and laserwelding or by way of a threaded fit or an interference fit to enableready replacement of a used filter module.

The modular canister 74 of filter unit 72 contains a filter element 76for filtering gas flowing therethrough, and an elastomeric face seal 78for sealing against a complementary sealing surface located within thereception cavity 32 of gas delivery device 12 (not shown).

While the filter element 76 of filter unit 72 is shown as a pleatedfilter element, it is envisioned that the filter element 76 can beselected from a group of different types of filter media including, forexample, pleated filter media, woven polymer mesh filter media,non-woven polymer mesh filter media, sintered metal filter media,sintered polymer filter media, activated carbon filter media,particulate filter media and the like. Regardless of the material thatis used within the filter unit, it will be a material that is configuredto facilitate two-way, bi-directional gas flow. That is, the filterelement 76 in each canister 74 is configured so that it can be readilyutilized to filter a flow of clean pressurized gas coming from theoutlet side of one of the gas circulation pumps 18, 24 or a flow ofspent or smoke filled gas going to the suction side of one of the gascirculation pumps 18, 24.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the filter canister 74 of filter unit 72also includes an internal reservoir 75 for accumulating any fluids thatare drawn into the canister 74 under suction or otherwise during asurgical procedure. The reservoir 75 preferably includes a mechanism(not shown) for detecting a fluid level within the filter canister 74,such as for example, an optical sensing mechanism as described incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,067,030, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, which also relates to FIGS. 3 and 4,there is illustrated an interface plate 30 of the subject invention thatis adapted and configured for use with the gas delivery device 12 in aninsufflation only operating mode. In this instance, an insufflation andsensing lumen 82 is attached to the first connector 42 of the interfaceplate 30. The distal end of the insufflation and sensing lumen 82 has aconvention luer type coupling 92 that is adapted and configured toconnect with the connector 210 of a valve sealed access device 200 (seeFIG. 1A).

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is illustrated an interface plate30 of the subject invention that is adapted and configured for use withthe gas delivery device 12 in an operating mode involvinginsufflation/sensing and evacuation of smoky gas through two separatevalve sealed access ports 200. In this instance, the insufflation andsensing lumen 82 is attached to the first connector 42 of the interfaceplate 30, and a smoke evacuation lumen 88 is attached to the fourthconnector 48 of the interface plate 30. The distal end of theinsufflation and sensing lumen 82 has a coupling 92 that is adapted andconfigured to connect with the connector 210 of a first valve sealedaccess device 200 and the distal end of the smoke evacuation lumen 88has a coupling 98 that is adapted and configured to connect with theconnector 210 of a second valve sealed access device 200.

As best seen in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, there are two filter units72 associated with the rear surface 36 of interface plate 30, whereinone is associated with filter seat 52 and the other is associated withfilter seat 58.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is illustrated another embodiment ofthe interface plate 30 of the subject invention, which is adapted andconfigured for use with the gas delivery device 12 in an operating modethat involves insufflation, smoke evacuation and the return of filteredgas through three separate valve sealed access ports 200. In thisinstance, the insufflation and sensing lumen 82 is attached to the firstconnector 42 of the interface plate 30, the smoke evacuation lumen 88 isattached to the fourth connector 48 of the interface plate 30, and arecirculation supply lumen 90 is attached to the fifth connector 50 ofthe interface plate 30.

The distal end of the insufflation and sensing lumen 82 has a coupling92 that is adapted and configured to connect with the connector 210 of afirst valve sealed access device 200, the distal end of the smokeevacuation lumen 88 has a coupling 98 that is adapted and configured toconnect with the connector 210 of a second valve sealed access device200, and the distal end of the recirculation supply lumen 90 has acoupling 100 that is adapted and configured to connect with theconnector 210 of a third valve sealed access device 200. As best seen inFIG. 12, in this embodiment, there are separate three filter units 72associated with the rear surface 36 of interface plate 30, wherein oneis associated with filter seat 52, a second is associated with filterseat 58 and the third is associated with filter seat 60.

While not explicitly illustrated herein, it is envisioned and wellwithin the scope of the subject disclosure that an interface plate 30could be adapted and configured for use only in a smoke evacuation mode,wherein the distal end of the smoke evacuation lumen 88 would beconnected to a first valve sealed access device 200 and the distal endof the recirculation supply lumen 90 would be connected to a secondvalve sealed access device 200. In such an instance, a separateconventional insufflation unit, distinct from the gas supply device 12,could be used for insufflation and pressure sensing.

It is also envisioned and well within the scope of the subjectdisclosure that with respect to the configuration of the interface plate30 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the distal end of the insufflation andsensing lumen 82 and the distal end of the recirculation supply lumen 90can be operatively associated with a two tube coupling 93, which has aluer type connector 99 for coupling with a first valve sealed accessport 200, as illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24. In this instance, a distalend of the smoke evacuation lumen 88 would be connected to a secondvalve sealed access port 200.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is illustrated anotherembodiment of the interface plate 30 of the subject invention, which isadapted and configured for use with the gas delivery device 12 in anoperating mode that involves insufflation, gas delivery and gas returnby way of a dual lumen gas sealed access device 400 of the typedisclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,795,223, the disclosureof which is herein incorporated by reference. In this instance, theinsufflation and sensing lumen 82 is attached to the first connector 42of the interface plate 30, a gas delivery lumen 84 is attached to thesecond connector 44 of interface plate 30, and a gas return lumen 86 isattached to the third connector 46 of interface plate 30.

Here, the insufflation and sensing lumen 82, the gas delivery lumen 84and the gas return lumen 86 are ganged together, and their distal endsare all operatively associated with a tri-lumen coupling 95 of the typewhich is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,526,886, thedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. The tri-lumencoupling 95 is adapted and configured to connect with the connector 410of a dual lumen gas sealed access device 400. In this embodiment, thereare three filter units 72 associated with the rear surface 36 ofinterface plate 30, wherein one is associated with filter seat 52, asecond is associated with filter seat 54 and the third is associatedwith filter seat 56.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is illustrated yet anotherembodiment of the interface plate 30 of the subject invention, which isadapted and configured for use with the gas delivery device 12 in anoperating mode that involves insufflation by way of a valve sealedaccess device 200 and pressurized gas delivery and spent gas return byway of a single lumen gas sealed trocar 300, discussed in more detailbelow with respect to FIG. 1B. In this instance, the insufflation andsensing lumen 82 is attached to the first connector 42 of the interfaceplate 30, a gas delivery lumen 84 is attached to the second connector 44of interface plate 30, and a gas return lumen 86 is attached to thethird connector 46 of interface plate 30.

Here, the distal end of the insufflation and sensing lumen 82 has acoupling 92 that is adapted and configured to connect with the connector210 of a valve sealed access device 200, while the gas delivery lumen 84and the gas return lumen 86 are ganged together, and their distal endsare all operatively associated with a bi-lumen coupling 97 of the typewhich is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2017/0361084, the disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference (see FIGS. 21 through 26).

The bi-lumen coupling 97 is adapted and configured to connect with theconnector 310 of a single lumen gas sealed access device 300 shown inFIG. 1B, which functions similar to the dual lumen gas sealed accessdevice 400 disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,795,223, except that thebi-lumen gas sealed access device 300 only has a central gas sealedlumen for accommodating instrument passage, it does not have an outerannular lumen surrounding the central lumen, through which insufflationgas is delivered to the surgical cavity of a patient. In all otherrespects, the device 300 functions like a bi-lumen gas sealed accessdevice 400. In this embodiment, there are also three filter units 72associated with the rear surface 36 of interface plate 30, wherein oneis associated with filter seat 52, a second is associated with filterseat 54 and the third is associated with filter seat 56.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 through 19, there is illustrated an ultimateembodiment of the interface plate 30 of the subject invention, which isadapted and configured for use with the gas delivery device 12 in anoperating mode that involves insufflation, pressurized gas delivery andspent gas return by way of a dual lumen gas sealed access device 400. Inthis instance, the insufflation and sensing lumen 82 is attached to thefirst connector 42 of the interface plate 30, the gas delivery lumen 84is attached to the second connector 44 of interface plate 30, the gasreturn lumen 86 is attached to the third connector 46 of interface plate30, the smoke evacuation lumen 88 is attached to the fourth connector 48of the interface plate 30, and the recirculation supply lumen 90 isattached to the fifth connector 50 of the interface plate 30.

Here, the insufflation and sensing lumen 82, the gas delivery lumen 84and the gas return lumen 86 are ganged together, and their distal endsare all operatively associated with a tri-lumen coupling 95 forconnecting with the tri-lumen connector 410 of a bi-lumen gas sealedaccess device 400, while the smoke evacuation lumen 88 and therecirculation supply lumen 90 have respective couplings 98 and 100 thatare each adapted and configured to connect with the connectors 210 ofrespective valve sealed access devices 200. This embodiment of interfaceplate 30, with five lumens attached, is the configuration of the subjectinvention that is illustrated in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 19, in this embodiment of the invention, there are fivefilter units 72 associated with the rear surface 36 of interface plate30, wherein one is associated with filter seat 52, a second isassociated with filter seat 54, a third is associated with filter seat56, a fourth is associated with filter seat 58 and a fifth is associatedwith filter seat 60.

Alternatively, with respect to the 5-lumen configuration of FIGS. 17through 19, while not illustrated explicitly, it is envisioned and wellwithin the scope of the subject disclosure, that the distal ends of thegas delivery lumen 84 and the gas return lumen 86 could be attached to abi-lumen coupling 97, that is adapted and configured to connect with asingle lumen gas sealed access device 300, a distal end of theinsufflation and sensing lumen 82 could be connected to a first valvesealed access device 200, a distal end of the smoke evacuation lumen 88could connected to a second valve sealed access device 200 and a distalend of the recirculation supply lumen 90 could be connected to a thirdvalve sealed access device 200.

It is also envisioned and well within the scope of the subjectdisclosure that the interface plate 30 of the subject invention wouldinclude a mechanism for communicating information to the controller 16in the gas delivery device 12 identifying which of the five lumens andfilters is attached to the interface plate 30, and thereby indicatewhich particular operational mode must be activated to perform a desiredsurgical procedure. This mechanism could be a mechanical feature, suchas a micro-switch that would communicate with the controller 16 when theinterface plate 30 is installed within the reception cavity 32 in thefront face of gas delivery device 12. Alternatively, the mechanism couldbe wireless transmitter 35 on the rear surface 36 of interface plate 30,as shown in FIG. 4, such as an RFID signal transmitter or NFC signaltransmitter, that would communicate information to the controller 16 ofgas delivery device 12 related to the types of lumens associated withthe interface plate 30.

Referring to FIGS. 20 through 23, there is illustrated anotherembodiment of an interface plate constructed in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the subject invention, which is designatedgenerally by reference numeral 130. The front surface 134 of interfaceplate 130 includes a first connector 142 for connecting with aninsufflation and sensing lumen, a second connector 144 for connectingwith a gas delivery lumen, a third connector 146 for connecting with agas return lumen, a fourth connector 148 for connecting with a smokeevacuation lumen and a fifth connector 150 for connection with arecirculation supply lumen, as best seen in FIGS. 20 and 21.

Referring to FIG. 22, the rear surface 136 of interface plate 130includes a circular filter seat 154 for communicating with the connector144, a circular filter seat 156 for communicating with connector 146, acircular filter seat 158 for communicating with connector 148, and acircular filter seat 160 for communicating with the 150. Each filterseat is adapted and configured for accommodating a filter module 72 ofthe type illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

As best seen in FIGS. 21 and 22, the interface plate 130 has an integralfilter canister 172 that corresponds to the insufflation path associatedwith connector 142. This integral filter canister includes a singlesheet of filter media 176 supported in an annular disc 177, forfiltering insufflation gas delivered to the surgical cavity of apatient. It should be appreciated that the insufflation path associatedwith connector 142 is employed in nearly every embodiment or version ofthe interface plates described herein, therefore it would beadvantageous to provide the filter canister 172 as an integral featureof the interface plate 130, while each of the others paths of interfaceplate 130 would communicate with a filter module 72.

A shroud 136 surrounds the entire periphery of the interface plate 130and forms a mounting surface for a wireless transmitter 135, such as anRFID signal transmitter or NFC signal transmitter, identifying which ofthe five lumens is attached to the interface plate 130.

While the subject disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that changes or modifications may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the scope of the subject disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for performing an endoscopic surgicalprocedure in a surgical cavity, comprising: a) a multi-modal gasdelivery device including a housing enclosing internally a primary gascirculation pump, a secondary gas circulation pump and an insufflationsubunit; and b) an interface plate adapted and configured to engage withthe multi-modal gas delivery device and including opposed front and rearsurfaces, wherein five connectors are located on the front surface ofthe interface plate and five filter seats are located on the rearsurface of the interface plate, and wherein each of the five filterseats on the rear surface of the interface plate has a port formedtherein that communicates with an oppositely adjacent one of the fiveconnectors on the front surface of the interface plate to form aconnection, wherein each of the five connections corresponds to one ofthe following five lumens: i) an insufflation and sensing lumen fordelivering insufflation gas from the insufflation subunit to thesurgical cavity and for facilitating sensing of surgical cavitypressure; ii) a gas delivery lumen for delivering pressurized gas fromthe primary gas circulation pump to a gas sealed access device; iii) agas return lumen for returning gas used to generate a gaseous sealwithin the gas sealed access device back to the primary gas circulationpump; iv) a smoke evacuation lumen for removing smoke filled gas fromthe surgical cavity by way of the secondary gas circulation pump; and v)a recirculation supply lumen for returning filtered gas back to thesurgical cavity from the secondary gas circulation pump.
 2. A system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the insufflation and sensing lumen isattached to a respective connector on the front surface of the interfaceplate, and a filter canister is associated with the connected filterseat on the rear surface of the interface plate to communicate with theattached lumen.
 3. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein a distal endof the insufflation and sensing lumen has a coupling that is adapted andconfigured to connect with a valve sealed access device, which isdistinct from the gas sealed access device.
 4. A system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the insufflation and sensing lumen, the gas deliverylumen and the gas return lumen are attached to respective connectors onthe front surface of the interface plate, and filter canisters areassociated with connected filter seats on the rear surface of theinterface plate to communicate with each of the attached lumens.
 5. Asystem as recited in claim 4, wherein distal ends of the insufflationand sensing lumen, the gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen areattached to a tri-lumen coupling that is adapted and configured toconnect with the gas sealed access device.
 6. A system as recited inclaim 4, wherein distal ends of the gas delivery lumen and the gasreturn lumen are attached to a bi-lumen coupling that is adapted andconfigured to connect with the gas sealed access device, and a distalend of the insufflation and sensing lumen has a coupling that is adaptedand configured to connect with a valve sealed access device.
 7. A systemas recited in claim 1, wherein the smoke evacuation lumen and therecirculation supply lumen are attached to respective connectors on thefront surface of the interface plate, and filter canisters areassociated with connected filter seats on the rear surface of theinterface plate to communicate with each of the attached lumens.
 8. Asystem as recited in claim 7, wherein a distal end of the smokeevacuation lumen has a coupling that is adapted and configured toconnect with a first valve sealed access device and a distal end of therecirculation supply lumen has a coupling that is adapted and configuredto connect with a second valve sealed access device.
 9. A system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the insufflation and sensing lumen and thesmoke evacuation lumen are attached to respective connectors on thefront surface of the interface plate, and filter canisters areassociated with connected filter seats on the rear surface of theinterface plate to communicate with each of the attached lumens.
 10. Asystem as recited in claim 9, wherein a distal end of the insufflationand sensing lumen is combined with a distal end of the recirculationsupply lumen and has a coupling that is adapted and configured toconnect with a first valve sealed access device and a distal end of thesmoke evacuation lumen has a coupling that is adapted and configured toconnect with a second valve sealed access device.
 11. A system asrecited in claim 9, wherein a distal end of the insufflation and sensinglumen has a coupling that is adapted and configured to connect with afirst valve sealed access port and the smoke evacuation lumen has acoupling that is adapted and configured to connect with a second firstvalve sealed access port.
 12. A system as recited in claim 1, whereinthe insufflation and sensing lumen, the smoke evacuation lumen and therecirculation supply lumen are attached to respective connectors on thefront surface of the interface plate, and filter canisters areassociated with connected filter seats on the rear surface of theinterface plate to communicate with each of the attached lumens.
 13. Asystem as recited in claim 12, wherein a distal end of the insufflationand sensing lumen has a coupling that is adapted and configured toconnect with a first valve sealed access device, a distal end of thesmoke evacuation lumen has a coupling that is adapted and configured toconnect with a second valve sealed access device and a distal end of therecirculation supply lumen has a coupling that is adapted and configuredto connect with a third valve sealed access device.
 14. A system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the insufflation and sensing lumen, the gasdelivery lumen, the gas return lumen, the smoke evacuation lumen and therecirculation supply lumen are attached to respective connectors on thefront surface of the interface plate, and filter canisters areassociated with connected filter seats on the rear surface of theinterface plate to communicate with each of the attached lumens.
 15. Asystem as recited in claim 14, wherein distal ends of the insufflationand sensing lumen, the gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen areattached to a tri-lumen coupling that is adapted and configured toconnect with the gas sealed access device, a distal end of the smokeevacuation lumen has a coupling that is adapted and configured toconnect with a first valve sealed access device and a distal end of therecirculation supply lumen has a coupling that is adapted and configuredto connect with a second valve sealed access device.
 16. A system asrecited in claim 14, wherein distal ends of the gas delivery lumen andthe gas return lumen are attached to a bi-lumen coupling that is adaptedand configured to connect with the gas sealed access device, a distalend of the insufflation and sensing lumen has a coupling that is adaptedand configured to connect with a first valve sealed access device, adistal end of the smoke evacuation lumen has a coupling that is adaptedand configured to connect with a second valve sealed access device and adistal end of the recirculation supply lumen has a coupling that isadapted and configured to connect with a third valve sealed accessdevice.
 17. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein each filter seatlocated on the rear surface of the interface plate is associated with afilter canister that includes a filter element for filtering gas flowingtherethrough.
 18. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein the filtercanister associated with the insufflation and sensing lumen is formedintegral with the interface plate.
 19. A system as recited in claim 18,wherein the filter canisters associated with the gas delivery lumen, thegas return lumen, the smoke evacuation lumen and the recirculationsupply lumen are formed separate from the interface plate.
 20. A systemas recited in claim 17, wherein each filter canister is formed separatefrom the interface plate and is attached to the interface plate by wayof an adhesive, spin welding, laser welding, ultrasonic welding,threaded connection or an interference fit.
 21. A system as recited inclaim 20, wherein each filter canister formed separate from theinterface plate has an identical construction to promote modularity. 22.A system as recited in claim 20, wherein each filter canister formedseparate from the interface plate includes means for detecting a fluidlevel within the filter canister.
 23. A system as recited in claim 17,wherein each filter element is configured for bi-directional flow.
 24. Asystem as recited in claim 17, wherein the filter element included witheach filter canister is selected from a group of filter media consistingof a pleated filter media, a woven polymer mesh filter media, anon-woven polymer mesh filter media, sintered metal filter media, asintered polymer filter media, an activated carbon filter media, and aparticulate filter media.
 25. A system as recited in claim 1, whereinthe interface plate includes means for communicating information to acontroller in the gas delivery device identifying which of the fivelumens is attached to the interface plate.